ICPC ARRAIGNS EBONYI ACCOUNTANT-GENERAL’S OFFICE STAFF OVER ALLEGED N61M MONEY LAUNDERING
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned one Obasi Sunday before the Federal High Court, Abakaliki Judicial Division, over alleged money laundering offences.
Obasi, a staff member of the Office of the Accountant-General of Ebonyi State and a signatory to the Ebonyi State Government Shopping Mall Account domiciled with United Bank for Africa (UBA), was accused of engaging in structured cash transactions designed to evade mandatory reporting requirements.
In a statement issued on Monday by the ICPC spokesperson, John Odey, the Commission disclosed that the defendant was arraigned before Justice H. Oshomah on a two-count charge.
According to the charge, Obasi allegedly withdrew a total sum of N61,000,000 from the government account in August 2020 in six tranches of N10,000,000 and an additional N1,000,000, with the intent of avoiding statutory reporting obligations.
The Commission further alleged that within the same period, he deposited N60,941,725 into the UBA account of one Ikechukwu Obiukwu, said to be a contractor to the Ebonyi State Government, in structured instalments of N10,000,000 and N941,725, also with the intent to evade reporting requirements.
The alleged offences are said to contravene Section 19(1)(c) and are punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded not guilty to both counts.
Counsel to the ICPC, Agbili Kingsley, applied for a trial date, while defence counsel, Michael Ngwu, moved a bail application, which was not opposed by the prosecution.
The court granted the defendant bail in the sum of N10 million, with one surety who must be the Accountant-General of the state. The surety is required to sign an undertaking to produce the defendant in court, accompanied by two recent passport photographs. The defendant is also to sign a similar undertaking.
The matter was adjourned to March 24 and 25, 2026, for commencement of hearing.
The arraignment adds to a series of prosecutions by the ICPC involving senior officials in government ministries and agencies over alleged financial and administrative offences.
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